HC Deb 05 June 1967 vol 747 cc616-7
32. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Treaty of Rome lays down equal pay for women doing equal work to men; what recent action he has taken to implement this policy and with what results; and whether he will state the estimated costs for the adoption of this policy.

29. Mrs. Butler

asked the Minister of Labour when he expects to receive the Report of the Working Party on Equal Pay for Women; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gunter

The implications of the requirement in the Treaty of Rome in respect of equal pay is one of the matters which has been considered in the technical discussions between officials of the Confederation of British Industry, the Trades Union Congress and my Ministry. I expect to receive a report of these discussions shortly. A reliable estimate of the cost of applying the requirement in the Treaty of Rome would require further information than is at present available.

Mr. Lewis

As General de Gaulle has asked for some declaration of intent to show that we are seriously desirous of entering the Common Market, is not this one step which the Minister could take which would receive the unanimous support of this side of the House and would no doubt receive the support of General de Gaulle and help us to get into the Common Market?

Mr. Gunter

I have my doubts about that proposition. The Treaty of Rome certainly states that there shall be the same pay for the same work, but one of the problems is that it is rather differently interpreted in the various members of the Six, and it is rather difficult to arrive at conclusions.

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that local government officers and many other people in Scotland are interested to know whether the Treaty of Rome provides for equal pay for equal work done in England and Scotland?

51. Mr. Biffen

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent it is the objective of the Government's prices and incomes policy to facilitate the principle of equal pay between men and women; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gunter

The introduction of equal pay is an objective of Government policy which has to be accommodated within the framework of the prices and incomes policy.

Mr. Biffen

Are not women workers often among the lowest paid? Therefore, if it is the Government's supposed policy to favour the lowest paid in their prices and incomes policy, ought they not to embrace the principle of equal pay? Why are they not doing so?

Mr. Gunter

We accept the principle, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, discussions, consultations and negotiations are already taking place on this matter and we are awaiting the result, I hope very shortly, of those deliberations.

Mr. Ronald Bell

Would the Minister bear in mind that the principle is that of equal pay for equal work, and that the Royal Commission on Equal Pay found that the value of women's work when engaged in similar capacities was 30 per cent. less than that of men?

Mr. Gunter

This is one of the points of the great argument. What is equal work? Nobody knows the answer.